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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






2. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






3. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






4. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






5. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






6. Repetition of a single tone.






7. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






8. Indicating speed.






9. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






10. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






11. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






12. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






13. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






14. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






15. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






16. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






17. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






18. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






19. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






20. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






21. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






22. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






23. The movement of chords in succession.






24. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






25. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






26. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






27. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






28. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






29. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






30. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






31. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






32. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






33. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






34. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






35. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






36. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






37. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






38. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






39. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






40. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






41. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






42. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






43. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






44. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






45. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






46. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






47. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






48. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






49. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






50. A direction to play expressively.